[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S23]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL JOHN D. HAVENS

 Mrs. CARNAHAN. Mr. President, I am honored today to pay 
tribute to the outgoing Adjutant General of the Missouri National 
Guard, Major General John D. Havens.
  Governor Carnahan appointed him to this post on March 6, 1997. For 
the next 4 years, General Havens was responsible for leading 10,000 
Missouri Army and Air National Guard personnel as well as the State 
Emergency Management Agency and Civil Air Patrol.
  Under his stewardship, the State's Guard was always ready for action; 
ready to respond to disasters both in Missouri and elsewhere when duty 
called. In addition, the Missouri Guard was ready to aid in our 
country's national defense. General Havens has been in command of our 
Missouri Guard men and women as they performed missions in defense of 
freedom throughout the world. His troops have graced the sky or put 
boots on the ground of 18 States and 26 countries.
  General Havens created several ground-breaking programs as well. He 
was instrumental in establishing Missouri's Show-Me ChalleNGe Program 
for our State's youth. His Guardsmen created an educational program 
that instilled discipline and motivation in teenagers who had dropped 
out of school. To this day, the valuable program continues to enhance 
the responsibility and self-esteem of Missouri's ``at-risk'' youth.
  General Havens fostered a culture of success by growing an 
organization that emphasizes skill, talent, and dedication, and values 
diversity. This philosophy enabled him to improve recruitment in both 
rural and urban areas, as demonstrated by our impressive retention 
rates under General Havens' administration. Missourians are proud to be 
associated with our Guard. For his action, the NAACP presented the 
General with its prestigious 2001 Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award 
honoring his concern for the diversity, health, strength, comfort and 
accomplishments of the Guard's men and women.
  Throughout his military career, General Havens earned several other 
awards, including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, 
the Army Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army 
Reserve Component Achievement Medal, and the National Defense Service 
Medal.
  But more important than any of these awards, was the honor and 
respect he enjoys from the men and women who served under him. General 
Havens is truly a people's general, and he will be missed.
  In the past, I had the opportunity to work with Guard members first 
hand as they helped Missourians cope with natural disasters. I saw the 
deep commitment and compassion General Havens had instilled in them. I 
will also never forget the tremendous kindness shown by General Havens 
and members of the Guard during my husband's funeral.
  General Havens' career reflects the ideal of service represented by 
General George Washington when he said, ``When we assumed the Soldier, 
we did not lay aside the Citizen.'' Throughout his career of service to 
our State and to this Nation, he truly epitomized the concept of 
Citizen Soldier.
  General Havens has served our Nation and our State honorably. I wish 
him all the best in retirement. He will be remembered as a patriot, a 
leader, a Missourian, an American, and a friend.

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